Auto focus is accomplished via a 9-point TTL system with user-selectable AF
points visible on the LCD monitor. The S45 also features an AF assist illuminator for
accurate focusing in dim to dark environments.

When powered down or in sleep mode the lens is retracted back into the camera body.
The camera is powered on when you slide the front cover open.

The Manual focus option is enabled by pressing and holding the "MF" button while using
the Up or Down on the 4-way switch. The manual focus
range is 6cm (0.2 ft.) (wide-angle) / 20cm (0.7 ft.) (telephoto) to infinity.
While manually focusing, the subject area covered by the active focusing point is
digitally enlarged on the LCD to aid in critical focusing.

To save battery power or when outdoors in the bright light, switch off the LCD and frame
your shots with the eyelevel optical viewfinder. There is no diopter adjustment. The LEDs
on the side indicate recording, autofocus and flash status. The eyelevel finder shows
approximately 87% of the captured image.

The builtin 5-mode (Auto, Redeye, Slow-sync, On, Off) flash will handle most
average picture taking tasks. It has a maximum range of 13 feet (3.96m)

The zoom lens control is along the edge in front of the shutter button. In Playback the
zoom control is used to enlarge the image for critical examination.
The Mode Dial has positions for:

Custom - Save settings from any P, Tv, Av or M exposure mode
for rapid recall. Also saves zoom position and focus distance if MF is used.

Manual - you set both the shutter speed and aperture. Exposure value is
displayed when shutter is half-pressed.

Program AE - camera automatically set the shutter speed and aperture
settings like AUTO but the user can change many options like white balance,
exposure compensation, saturation, sharpness and more. You can "shift" the selected
shutter/aperture combination, enter this mode by half-pressing shutter release and then
press the AE lock button - now change by pressing the Right or Left button.

AUTO - camera sets almost everything automatically, this is "point and shoot"
mode. You can set flash mode, macro focus and image size.

The pre-programmed "Image Zone" modes include:

Portrait - Sets a large aperture value to have a minimum depth of field
so your subject is sharp but the background gets blurred.

Slow Shutter - when you need to blur motion such as river rapids (tripod recommended)

Stitch Assist - The user will be aided by the LCD when creating multi-image
panorama pictures. Five types of assistance are available:

Horizontal - left to right

Horizontal - right to left

Vertical - top to bottom

Vertical - bottom to top

Clockwise starting at top left.

Onscreen view of Stitch Assist mode

Movie - capture full motion video and sound clips up to 3 minutes in length
at a rate of 15fps. Movie size is 320x240 or 160x120 pixels.

Along the left side of the 1.8-inch LCD is the combination Exposure Compensation / White Balance /
Flash Compensation and AE Bracketing button, push it to cycle through the modes and
change them onscreen.
The "MF" toggles the manual focus mode when held (in Play mode this is
the single image Delete button.)
The bottom button cycles through the AE metering modes (in Play mode this is
the Sound Annotations button.)

The Menu button calls up the onscreen
menu system, The DISPLAY button controls the color LCD and the amount of data that
is overlayed on it.

Across the top is the Flash mode button (thumbnail index button in Play mode),
Macro focus mode button (the Jump button in Play mode)...

The slide switch puts the camera into Play mode, the indicator light is green
for Play mode and orange for Record.
The 4-way controller lets you navigate menu screens, when pushed
in the center it is the SET button. When in Record mode the SET
button is used to change the active Focus Point.

Located on top of the camera are the builtin microphone and speaker.

The I/O ports are on the left side:

The A/V OUT handles both the audio and video (NTSC or PAL, selectable).

The lower connector is for the USB data cable.

On the bottom in the battery compartment is the Compact Flash Type II card slot. The S45
is supplied with a 32MB CF card and can use any Type I or II solid state flash memory
card or one of the IBM Microdrives. The card is
ejected far enough to be easily removed, even Microdrives.

Number of pictures storable on selected media

Size/Quality

File Size
(KB)

Resolution
(pixels)

32MB

64MB

128MB

1GB

Large / SuperFine

2.002

2,272 x 1,704

14

30

61

512

Large / Fine

1,116

2,272 x 1,704

27

54

110

910

Large / Normal

556

2,272 x 1,704

54

110

220

1,726

Medium 1/ SuperFine

1,002

1,600 x 1,200

30

61

122

993

Medium 1/ Fine

558

1,600 x 1,200

54

109

219

1,726

Medium 1/ Normal

278

1,600 x 1,200

108

217

435

3,280

Medium 2/ SuperFine

570

1,024 x 768

53

107

215

1,726

Medium 2/ Fine

320

1,024 x 768

94

189

379

2,982

Medium 2/ Normal

170

1,024 x 768

174

349

700

4,687

Small / SuperFine

249

640 x 480

120

241

483

3,645

Small / Fine

150

640 x 480

196

394

789

5,468

Small / Normal

84

640 x 480

337

677

1,355

8,202

RAW

3,780

2,272 x 1,704

7

15

31

272

The S45 is powered by a NB-2L lithium rechargeable battery pack.
A fully charged battery is good for approximately 170 images when using the LCD or up to
380 images when you use only the optical viewfinder. Or a playback time of
approximately 300 minutes.

The NB-2L pack is charged out of the camera in the included
CB-2LT Compact Charger (100-240VAC). Charging time is approx 80 minutes or less.
It plugs straight into an AC outlet, no cords required.

The optional WP-DC300 waterproof case allows the S45 to go to almost any sporting activity,
from boating to snow skiing to scuba diving (100 feet max depth.)

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.